Discocactus hartmannii

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Alex

Number of posts : 22Location : ParaguayRegistration date : 2010-11-26

Subject: Discocactus hartmannii Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:26 am

Hello there,

I'd like to show you one of my favorite Discocactus: D. hartmannii. It is the only native specimen in our country and grows on natural sand fields called "campo cerrado". It is very rare and almost extinct by the farmers. They plant a fast growing hybrid grass which covers rapidly the fields. Every year when the grasslands are burned, more and more cacti die.

Plant in habitat with scars from the fire

Older plant in my collection

After pollination, I got some nice fruits

The seeds are sown. Here recently germinated.

Some of the seedlings are grafted. These are 16 months old. The left one on Pereskiopsis, the other on Selenicereus.

Here a comparison of seedlings of the same age, grafted and on their own roots

Wow, those are really attractive plants. Go you use any special cultivation techniques (heat, light, humidity, etc) or do you find the local climate is sufficient to grow these plants?

Alex

Number of posts : 22Location : ParaguayRegistration date : 2010-11-26

Subject: Re: Discocactus hartmannii Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:28 pm

Thank you!There are no special techniques to cultivate this specimen. It likes strong heat, mostly full sun and plenty of water. The soil should be well drained, as for other cacti.I have planted some of them directly in my garden, without any protection. They like the rainfalls and nightly dew .